all it took to break Bunning's filibuster was the WILL to stay up late....

[mike_c]

I cannot think of a better metaphor for the senate democrats and their leadership. Bunning kicked them to the curb like pansies, yelling the chant of the schoolyard bully-- "Make me, asshole!"-- whenever democrats wrung their hands, but like most playground bullies he caved in an instant the first time Harry Reid stood up to him. Read said he might call an all night session and require that Bunning put up or shut up, whereupon Bunning promptly shut up, without even trying to offer a fight-- and certainly without a genuine read-the-phonebook-and-keep-talking filibuster. Bunning was all hot air when he was finally called to account.

Reid, on the other hand, has more dry powder in storage than just about anyone alive. All it took to break Bunning was the WILL to do it. He caved EASILY. Why the HELL did that take so long?

[Trekologer]

And this is the solution to the 60 vote issue

Force them to keep talking 24/7 to keep the "filibuster" going.

[OKNancy]

1. I took just the right amount of time if you ask me

Enough time to make Bunning and the Repubs look evil and foolish, but not enough time to actually impact anyone financially.
I'd say Reid played it perfectly.

[Beetwasher]

8. I Agree

Well played.

[aquart]

2. I'd like the entire Senate to run a gauntlet

with the American people standing on either side with whips, chains, and really rotten eggs.

[eleny]

3. Is this the first time Reid threatened to make them filibuster on their feet & speaking?

I mean a real threat.

If so, then it's more than good. Now they have a taste of how it feels to use power and succeed.

[Better Believe It]

17. Yes.

[eleny]

22. Thx!

[Grand Taurean]

4. Democrats breaking Republicans! About time!

Use all of the tools at your disposal!
:kick:

[eleny]

6. The sound of those twigs snapping makes me very happy

[Mike 03]

5. Bunning, after all his vituperation against the Senate Health Care Plan,

didn't have the energy to hang around and vote against it. He flew home to be with his family.

I think in his demented mind he wants to "go out with a bang," but he is just going out with an embarrassment.

[mike_c]

9. yep....

"just going out with an embarrassment"

That was my thought, too.

[Mike 03]

7. BTW, I love Reid. He is a rock, as is Pelosi. NT

Kick and rec your post.

[Lint Head]

10. The rock needs to call for the arrest and conviction of George W Bush and Dick Cheney

for war crimes!

[Mike 03]

11. Yes, you are right.

My only wish is that we get health care reform passed first.

You are totally right in what you are saying.

[Mike 03]

12. I think about what you are saying every day, but I am just not sure out to execute this. NT

[customerserviceguy]

13. May I disagree with your wording?

Bunning didn't "fillibuster", that takes 41 Senators. He did use a rule that is as silly as the one that allows fillibustering, and it needs to go.

Yes, I can blame the child playing with matches, but I blame even more the people (system) that gave the child the matches, and filled the room with open containers of gasoline.

[anonymous171]

18. Bunning isn't a child. Stop apologizing for dems' political inadequacy by blaming the system.

No amount of systemic change will make the dems grow a spine.

[customerserviceguy]

19. Ok, even if I concede that it was a poor analogy

I still have to fault the system that lets one Senator have that much power. I fault both parties for creating this house of cards. The Sword of Damocles was hung by just such a crazy system.

[CreekDog]

14. Well you can't blame him

They keep moving Matlock to earlier timeslots.

[TexasObserver]

15. When Harry Reid grows a backbone, this nonsense will end.

This is the most embarrassing display of impotence by any Democratic congress ever.

[Codeine]

16. He drew it out masterfully.

Just long enough to make sure everyone noticed it but not so long as to cause any real damage. Now it's a genuine anti-Puke campaign message.

[SlingBlade]

20. Yea, That and a little knee work from democrats....

Yea, That and a little knee work from democrats....

4:40 p.m. Democrats May Force All-Night Session ?

2 hours ago Bunning Accepts Deal Allowing Benefits Bill to Advance
Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) (Mr. No Sign The Letter) said he was pleased a deal could be reached.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...


1 hour ago Reid's Office: Bunning Holding All Obama Nominees
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Aren't ya supposed to talk tough BEFORE ya fucking give in.
Whata fuck'in joke these democrats have turned out to be :puke:

[TheWraith]

21. THIS IS NOT THE SAME THING AS A FILIBUSTER ON HEALTHCARE.

Please do not confuse people.

[Better Believe It]

23. I know. It's a different subject. Senator Reid can force Republicans to filibuster at anytime

You should know that if your familiar with the Constitution of the United States and Senate Rule 22.

We've gone over this many times on Democratic Underground and I think most liberals/progressives clearly understand the Democrats can end "procedural" filibusters and force Republicans to engage in traditional Senate floor filibusters anytime they choose to.